A food pyramid or diet pyramid is a pyramid-shaped diagram representing the optimal number of

servings to be eaten each day from each of the basic food groups.[1]The first food pyramid was
published in Sweden in 1974.[2][3][4] The food pyramid introduced by the United States Department of
Agriculture in the year 1992 was called the "Food Guide Pyramid". It was updated in 2005 and then
replaced by MyPlate in 2011.[5] Over 25 other countries and organisations have also published food
pyramids.

History[edit]
Main article: History of USDA nutrition guides

The USDA's original food pyramid from 1992.

The USDA's updated food pyramid from 2005, MyPyramid.

The USDA food pyramid was created in 1992 and divided into six horizontal sections containing
depictions of foods from each section's food group. It was updated in 2005 with colorful vertical
wedges replacing the horizontal sections and renamedMyPyramid. MyPyramid was often displayed
with the food images absent, creating a more abstract design. In an effort to restructure food
nutrition guidelines, the USDA rolled out its new MyPlate program in June 2011. My Plate is divided
into four slightly different sized quadrants, with fruits and vegetables taking up half the space, and
grains and protein making up the other half. The vegetables and grains portions are the largest of
the four.

Veggies[edit]

A vegetable is a part of a plant consumed by humans that is generally savory but is not sweet. A
vegetable is not considered a grain, fruit, nut, spice, or herb. For example, the stem, root, flower,
etc., may be eaten as vegetables. Vegetables contain manyvitamins and minerals; however,
different vegetables contain different spreads, so it is important to eat a wide variety of types. For
example, green vegetables typically contain vitamin A, dark orange and dark green vegetables
contain vitamin C, and vegetables like broccoli and related plants contain iron and calcium.
Vegetables are very low in fats and calories, but ingredients added in preparation can often add
these.
Fruits[edit]
In terms of food (rather than botany), fruits are the sweet-tasting seed-bearing parts of plants, or
occasionally sweet parts of plants which do not bear seeds. These
include apples, oranges, plums, bananas, etc. Fruits are low in calories and fat and are a source of
natural sugars, fiber and vitamins. Processing fruits when canning or making into juices may add
sugars and remove nutrients. The fruit food group is sometimes combined with the vegetable food
group. Note that a massive number of different plant species produce seed pods which are
considered fruits in botany, and there are a number of botanical fruits which are
conventionally not considered fruits in cuisine because they lack the characteristic sweet taste,
e.g., tomatos or avocados.
Oils[edit]
The food pyramid advises that fats be consumed sparingly. Butter and oils are examples of fats.
Healthy sources of fat can be found in fish, nuts, and certain fruits and vegetables, such as
avocados.
Dairy[edit]
Dairy products are produced from the milk of mammals, most usually but not exclusively cattle. They
include milk, yogurt and cheese. Milk and its derivative products are a rich source of dietary calcium,
but also provide protein, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin D. However, many dairy products are
high in saturated fat and cholesterol compared to vegetables, fruits and whole grains, which is why
skimmed products are available as an alternative. For adults, three cups of dairy products are
recommended per day.[9][10]
Meat and beans[edit]
Meat is the tissue usually muscle of an animal consumed by humans. Since most parts of many
animals are edible, there is a vast variety of meats. Meat is a major source of protein, as well as
iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Meats, poultry, and fish
include beef, chicken, pork, salmon, tuna, shrimp, and eggs.
The meat group is one of the major compacted food groups in the food guide pyramid. Many of the
same nutrients found in meat can also be found in foods like eggs, dry beans, and nuts, such foods

are typically placed in the same category as meats, as meat alternatives. These include tofu,
products that resemble meat or fish but are made with soy, eggs, and cheeses. For those who do
not consume meat or animal products (see Vegetarianism, veganism and Taboo food and
drink), meat analogs, tofu, beans, lentils, chick peas, nuts and other high-protein vegetables are also
included in this group. The food guide pyramid suggests that adults eat 23 servings per day. One
serving of meat is 4 oz (110 g), about the size of a deck of cards.

Controversy[edit]

USDA food pyramid

Inside the pyramid

Many nutritional experts, like Harvard nutritionist Dr. Walter Willett, believe the 1992 pyramid does
not reflect the latest research on dietetics.[11] Certain dietary choices that have been linked to heart
disease, such as three cups of whole milk and an 8 oz (230 g) serving of hamburger daily, were
technically permitted under the pyramid. The pyramid also lacked differentiation within the proteinrich group ("Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts").[12]
Some of the recommended quantities for the different types of food in the old pyramid have also
come under criticism for lack of clarity. For instance, the pyramid recommends two to three servings

from the protein-rich group, but this is intended to be a maximum. The pyramid recommends two to
four fruit servings, but this is intended to be the minimum.[13]
The fats group as a whole have been put at the tip of the pyramid, under the direction to eat as little
as possible, which is largely problematic. Under the guide, one would assume to avoid fats and fatty
foods, which can lead to health problems. For one, fat is essential in a person's general
sustainability.[14][15][16] Research suggests that unsaturated fats aid in weight loss, reduce heart
disease risk,[17] lower blood sugar, and even lower cholesterol.[18][19][20] These fats can be found in olive
oil,[21][22]nuts,[23][24] pesto,[25] seafood (including fish, shrimp, squid, and krill among many more)[26][27] and
avocados.[28][29] Also, they are very long sustaining, and help keep blood sugar at a steady
level.[30][31] On top of that, these fats help brain function as well.[32]
Several books have claimed that food and agricultural associations exert undue political power on
the USDA.[33][34] Food industries, such as milk companies, have been accused of influencing the
United States Department of Agriculture into making the colored spots on the newly created food
pyramid larger for their particular product. The milk section has been claimed to be the easiest to
see out of the six sections of the pyramid, making individuals believe that more milk should be
consumed on a daily basis compared to the others.[35] Furthermore, the inclusion of milk as a group
unto itself implies that is an essential part of a healthy diet, despite the many people who are lactose
intolerant or choose to abstain from dairy, and a number of cultures that have historically consumed
little if any dairy products. Joel Fuhrman says in his book Eat to Live that U.S. taxpayers must
contribute $20 billion on price supports to artificially reduce the price of cattle feed to benefit the
dairy, beef and veal industries, and then pay the medical bills for an overweight population.[36] He
asks if the USDA is under the influence of the food industry, because a food pyramid based on
science would have vegetables at its foundation.[36]
These controversies prompted the creation of pyramids for specific audiences, particularly
some Vegetarian Diet Pyramids.[37][38][39][40]

Alternatives[edit]
The Harvard School of Public Health proposes the Healthy eating pyramid, which includes calcium
and multi-vitamin supplements as well as moderate amounts of alcohol, as an alternative to the
Food Guide Pyramid. Many observers[who?] believe that the Harvard pyramid follows the results of
nutrition studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals more closely.[citation needed] But in their
book Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever, published in 2004, Ray Kurzweil and
Terry Grossman M.D., point out that the guidelines provided in the Harvard Pyramid fail to
distinguish between healthy and unhealthy oils. In addition, whole-grain foods are given more priority
than vegetables, which should not be the case, as vegetables have a lower glycemic load. Other
observations are that fish should be given a higher priority due to its high omega-3 content, and that
high fat dairy products should be excluded. As an alternative, the authors postulate a new food

pyramid, emphasising low glycemic-load vegetables, healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts and
seeds, lean animal protein, fish, and extra virgin olive oil.
The University of Michigan Integrative Medicines Healing Foods Pyramid emphasizes plant-based
choices, variety and balance. It includes sections for seasonings and water as well as healthy fats.

The MyPlate food guide icon.

MyPlate is the current nutrition guide published by the United States Department of Agriculture,
depicting a place setting with a plate and glass divided into five food groups. It replaced the
USDA's MyPyramid guide on June 2, 2011, concluding 19 years of USDA food pyramid diagrams.